Jesus, CEO ??? (Earth, America, churches, atheist, agnostic)

[Sunstone]

I have a hard time distinquishing between a mega church and a football stadium.

[Booko]

Originally Posted by michel

a) how do American Christians view this 'corporate' side of Religion ?

I'll belatedly reply that I live within walking distance of one of these "megachurches." I consider it odd indeed that the architecture is exactly like an office building, and seems to have no resemblence to a religious building.

b) Those who are agnostics, atheists, or non Christians, but theists view this ?

Uh...you cannot serve both God and Mammon? Not that material means are totally unimportant for any religious organization. It's much tougher to do charitable work without means, eh?

I wouldn't bang on Christians for this particularly, though. It's not a universal problem by any means.

And the temptation is there for any religion to get off focus. The problem of mixing religion with money is not exactly a new one, or unique to Christianity.

[eudaimonia]

Originally Posted by michel

b) Those who are agnostics, atheists, or non Christians, but theists view this ?

I think it is fine. I see nothing wrong with it. Nothing is bad just because it is "corporate".

I see people in the photo worshipping God. Isn't that enough? If they happen to take a dip in the swimming pool afterwards, what is wrong with that?


eudaimonia,

Mark

[Booko]

Originally Posted by eudaimonia

I think it is fine. I see nothing wrong with it. Nothing is bad just because it is "corporate".

I see people in the photo worshipping God. Isn't that enough? If they happen to take a dip in the swimming pool afterwards, what is wrong with that?

There's nothing wrong with that, when that's all it is.

But I can introduce you to several people near me who joined a local church because it has a good gym. A couple of them, who were particularly nasty at work, even seemed to think that if they worked out while listeding to "good Christian music" that would somehow be sufficient to excuse their immoral behaviour at work.

The church is not responsible for the poor motivations and intent of those joining, but I do think it's worth asking whether a "corporate" focus is taking them off their real mission.

On another tack, as for that swimming pool, are religious institutions in Sweden tax exempt? In the U.S., they are.

I do question whether a gym facility in a church should be exempt from property tax. Someone has to pay for the police and fire protection, infrastructure, etc. If a part of their facility is a gym, now exactly why should they be tax exempt and the local Impact FItness have to pay up like everyone else?

If they were using the gym as a place for a program for troubled youths or something, well fine. But they're not. It's just a place for the yuppie businessmen to work out on their lunch hour.